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Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corp. (DM&E) and Union Pacific Railroad recently negotiated an agreement providing DM&E "unrestricted access" to UP's 2.5-mile line in Owatonna, Minn. Terms weren't disclosed.


The line connects DM&E to Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad Corp., formerly I&M Rail Link, which DM&E acquired last year.


In March, DM&E filed a petition with Surface Transportation Board seeking terminal trackage rights from UP to interchange with Iowa, Chicago & Eastern. However, the board encouraged both parties to negotiate a settlement.


"Like any settlement, we ended up in the middle of our initial positions, but we're comfortable with the outcome," says DM&E President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Schieffer. "It became an issue of: 'Is it worth the legal fees?'"


— Jeff Stagl